Everyday Activist - Uncle Howard (CUFF 2016)

Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 11:00 AM

Uncle Howard (CUFF 2016)

Movie Review by Everyday Activist X CalgaryMovies.com

Unlike many biographical films, Uncle Howard was done by Howard Brookner’s nephew, Aaron Brookner. In some ways it’s a bit disorienting due to the strong family resemblance; two film makers, about the same age, in two different time periods that look alike. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Howard’s friends as Aaron, captured them still emotional about his uncle’s death nearly 30 years later. Still they came together to help his nephew make this beautiful tribute film.

Art always seems to have an element of social justice, whether it’s the in your face type of protesting of Joey Skagg in Art of the Prank or artists wanting memorable good-bye for their home in Wreck City: An Epilogue for 809, two other great films screening at the Calgary Underground Film Festival this weekend. In Uncle Howard, Howard Brookner had the courage to be himself. He didn’t go to law school like his family wanted; instead, he became a film maker where he touched the lives of so many people through his work and his family life. Even when homosexuality posed serious risks in the Regan Era, he had the courage to be open about that too, finding love and companionship to complement his professional success. The original title of the film was “Smash The Control Machine”. Being yourself in the face of the system takes courage and seems to be the secret to a leading a fulfilling life even though it may be cut short; the ultimate form of protest.

Much like Art of the Prank, the seamless transitions between past and present footage in Uncle Howard deserves an academy award for editing. The emotional impact it has, has to be experienced. Every piece of archival footage had a purpose, whether it was home videos or parts of Howard’s work. I felt the beginning was a bit slow, but after the first fifteen minutes it picked up to take the viewer away to a different time and place that really wasn’t all that different. While I grew up in that era, I hadn’t realized selfies and video blogs were alive and well in the 1980s.

I hope this review makes it up before the screening tonight at the Globe Cinema, April 12th, 2016 at 7:30 pm as part of the Calgary Underground Film Festival. If you have the chance to see it, please do. “It isn’t so bad to live a short life, as long as you do what you want with it.”

Calgary Showtimes: Uncle Howard >